Movie Review: The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

The Matrix Resurrections (2021) co-written and directed by Lana Wachowski

Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) works at a software company where is hit trilogy "The Matrix" has made him a cyber-celebrity. Friends and even strangers recognize a bit of Anderson in the game, including basing the hero on himself. He's also obsessed with a woman named Tiffany (Carrie-Anne Moss) who looks like the game character Trinity but is married with kids. Anderson has some mental health issues around these situations., including an attempted suicide by Anderson when he tried to leap off a roof, just like Neo does in The Matrix Game. He has an analyst (Neil Patrick Harris) who helps him deal with the problems--a bit of talk therapy, a bit of pills (blue pills, to be exact). In an effort to see if something bigger is going on, Anderson adds a bit of code to the old game to see what happens. The code blends elements of the game's villain Agent Smith and the game's mentor Morpheus. The amalgam character (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) goes rogue inside the program, helping some other rogue characters to work their way out of the program, trying to make contact with him. Meanwhile, the company draws Anderson into making a sequel to his previous games.

The movie has a lot of backwards references to the other Matrix films, including plenty of clips. Some seem to be Anderson's memories, some pure fan service for the viewers. Early on the other program developers at the company discuss what should and shouldn't be in the sequel, along with side conversations about free will and fate/destiny. The promise of a lot of philosophical inquiry or commentary does not pay off as the film proceeds. The plot gets a bit muddled as it tries to provide twists that are more predictable and less fun than in the first film. The ending especially looks like the filmmakers were focused purely on "cool" factor rather than logic or common sense or narrative coherence. The actors do a good job with their roles and the nostalgia factor is fun for fans of The Matrix. The movie ultimately does not pay off in new or creative ways, even after a promising opening. I am not sorry I watched this film but I can't imagine I would watch it again.

Not recommended unless you are a big Matrix fan. Even then, just watch it once.